KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) did not intend to downplay the significance of mosques in the country, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) emphasised that the portrayal in the short video snippet was unintentional and did not reflect the ministry's stance.
"I was unaware that the video would give the impression that Islam in this country is not flourishing.
"This is untrue and was not the intended message.
"Our ministry (Religious Affairs) has numerous plans and programmes that will continue to be implemented. This commitment is guaranteed by the Prime Minister," he said during a press conference shared on his Facebook page on Friday (Jan 10).
He highlighted that enhancing Islam’s image in Malaysia includes strengthening the role of mosques as institutions that unite communities across the country.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing recently faced criticism following the release of a 41-second promotional video to mark the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. The video featured churches and temples but excluded mosques.
Tiong has since assured the public that mosques will be prominently included in the full promotional video, which is set to be released soon.
Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im also urged both Islamic and non-Islamic communities to prioritise unity, noting its vital role in building a successful nation.
"We must not allow minor issues to sow division among us.
"We are anticipating the release of the detailed video, which will include mosques as a symbol of unity in our country," he said.
Earlier, Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im welcomed the decision to feature mosques in the Visit Malaysia 2026 video, saying it aligns with the Federal Constitution and reflects Malaysia’s multicultural society.
